Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will do so seriatum, as I have written them down.

Senator Kathryn Reilly raised an issue that was also mentioned in the other House. There is a separate agreement which was formally agreed to under the HRA in respect of the unique third cut only for public servants earning in excess of €65,000. A schedule of repayments was provided for in the agreement. I will adhere to it because I am adhering to every bit of every agreement. That is what the Government and I will do.

Senator Cáit Keane referred to the substitution and supervision allowance, a matter Senator Fidelma Healy Eames raised in the context of section 10. Section 10(5) states this provision can be exercised "so as to effect an increase in remuneration as provided for in the collective agreement". This is the empowerment to subsume into the basic pay of teachers the substitution and supervision allowance which had been a stand-alone allowance. Teachers agreed to forgo the allowance for the past few years and for it to be subsumed, in two payments, into their core pay in 2016 and 2017. Section 10 gives me the power to do what I have agreed with the unions.

Senator Cáit Keane and others referred to the position of local councillors. I heard what she said. They are not public servants in the normal way and I will have that discussion to my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell began his contribution by saying he would love to welcome me with open arms. I am informed by my colleagues that he has never once voted with the Government.